Real Madrid Megastar a Doubt for Real Sociedad Clash Due to Knee Issue

Madrid, Spain – Real Madrid’s hopes of seizing the La Liga summit on Saturday night have been clouded by the uncertain status of marquee summer signing Kylian Mbappé, who is battling renewed discomfort in his left knee.

According to journalist Carlos Rodriguez, the 27-year-old striker has now missed two straight days of first-team training, retreating instead to the club’s gym facilities. The development is especially worrying given the knee in question is the same one that sidelined Mbappé for a brief spell in December.

With Los Blancos set to host Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabéu, the France captain’s availability hangs in the balance. A final decision is expected closer to kick-off, but staff are already preparing contingency plans should the forward be ruled out.

Mbappé’s potential absence compounds an already mounting injury list. Jude Bellingham has been confirmed unavailable, while fellow attacker Rodrygo Goes is also rated doubtful. The trio’s combined tally of pace and creativity leaves coach Carlo Ancelotti facing a selection headache at a pivotal stage of the title race.

Barcelona’s Monday-night fixture gives Madrid the chance to leapfrog their rivals with a victory, yet doing so without their star No. 9 would represent a significant handicap. In 31 appearances across all competitions this term, Mbappé has struck 38 goals and supplied five assists, numbers that underline his importance to the squad’s attacking output.

One ray of light for the hosts is the return of Vinicius Júnior, who sat out the weekend draw at Valencia through suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards. The Brazilian’s reintroduction could help offset the loss of Mbappé, though replicating the Frenchman’s ruthless finishing will be a collective task.

For now, all eyes will be on Friday’s training session, where medical staff and coaches will gauge whether Mbappé can complete a full workout. Until then, the possibility of the Bernabéu being deprived of its headline act remains a very real concern.